On the same day that Ian Millar announced his retirement from international competition, he spent the morning with a gym full of elementary school kids introducing Equestrian Canada’s Rookie Riders initiative. The Rookie Riders program gives kids a friendly introduction to horseback riding that teaches movement skills that are fundamental to the sport. Activities include simple gymnastics on mats, on a “barrel horse”, and concludes with an invitation to take a riding lesson at a certified riding facility.
The launch event, held at Clearmeadow Public School in Newmarket, Ontario, announced the inclusion of Rookie Riders in the York Region District School Board’s PE-2-GO program in the fall of 2019. PE-2-GO gives teachers access to additional resources outside of the normal curriculum for their physical education classes. Teachers who choose to teach their students the 12-week Rookie Riders unit will be provided with applied training and access to online training resources including video tutorials. In class resources include all the parts for the “barrel horse” plus detailed activities for kids that teach balance, core strength, focus and educational supplements to learn about horses.
Ian Millar shows students some moves on the Rookie Riders “horse”. Andree-Anne Brunet Photography
“I’m beyond excited about this,” enthused Millar. “This is an excellent program that will help make the sport accessible to a new generation.”